LATEST NEWS
Mai-Kai update, fall 2023: Artists shine amid construction as final renovation projects take flight NEW
While multiple construction projects are underway inside and outside the historic property, a small team of craftsmen is bringing the vintage decor back to life.
The Mai-Kai Restoration Guide
Check out news, photos, video and details on the refurbishment and reopening of South Florida's Polynesian Palace.
>>> COVERAGE FROM THE ATOMIC GROG
SPECIAL FEATURES
UPDATED: The Tiki Times: Exclusive events guide
Check the calendar for all of the major happenings around the world, from Tiki weekenders to rum festivals to marketplaces and music fests.
>>> SEE ALL OF THE TOP 2023 AND 2024 EVENTS
Pioneering Miami Rum Festival foreshadowed spirit's renaissance
The 14th annual event offers an opportunity for rum connoisseurs to meet and mingle in an intimate setting with producers, distillers, importers, distributors, retailers and other members of the spirits trade.
>>> Q&A with festival co-founder Robert Burr
>>> Upcoming rum events calendar
Sunshine State emerges as epicenter of Tiki revival in 2024
Florida will quickly become a must-visit destination with the addition of Tiki-a-Go-Go, the return of The Mai-Kai, and the revival of the Don the Beachcomber brand.
>>> See all the reasons to visit Florida next year
NEW RECIPES
A frightening flight of deadly cocktails for Halloween 2023
Get ready for a trio of deadly drinks with a dark and foreboding flair, just in time for the spooky season.
>>> Round 1: The Black Magic Cocktail
>>> Round 2: Shrunken Pumpkin Head
>>> Round 3: Return of the Zombie Dolphin
* More creepy cocktails from the archives
COCKTAIL GUIDES
Okole Maluna Society: The Mai-Kai Cocktail Guide
Hurricane Hayward reviews and rates the historic restaurant's current and past tropical drinks, plus reveals a treasure trove of ancestor and exclusive tribute recipes.
>>> A DEEP DIVE INTO THE COCKTAILS OF THE MAI-KAI
>>> List of all 100+ recipes
Atomic Grog Cocktail Recipes, A through Z
A comprehensive list of every recipe we've posted on the site since 2011.
>>> COMPLETE LIST OF 240+ DRINKS
RECENT UPDATES
Lost Cocktails of The Mai-Kai: Classic Daiquiri lost favor when Cuba fell, but influence endures
Revisit The Mai-Kai's version of a classic, including a recently unveiled recipe that links back to Don the Beachcomber.
>>> UPDATED HISTORY & REVIEW | AUTHENTIC RECIPE
The Derby Daiquiri: The Mai-Kai’s ‘$100,000 drink’ is worth its weight in gold
A deep dive into the fascinating history of the cocktail that made The Mai-Kai and its head mixologist famous.
>>> UPDATED HISTORY, REVIEW AND MORE
Tribute recipe | The Derby Daiquiri on Spike's Breezeway Cocktail Hour
PAST NEWS AND BLOGS
Outside The Mai-Kai: Artistic flourishes set stage for reimagination, early 2024 reopening
The final phase of the multimillion-dollar renovation kicks off as artists and craftsmen restore and transform the signature porte-cochère.
Inside The Mai-Kai: Detailed restoration advances amid total infrastructure overhaul
Work is progressing on the historic South Florida restaurant's guest areas alongside a near total rebuild of the back-of-house facilities.
The Mai-Kai and The Atomic Grog at Tiki Oasis
We were proud to present two special seminars at the world's original Tiki weekender in San Diego.
>>> FULL INFO ON THE SEMINARS
SOCIAL MEDIA UPDATES: Latest event coverage, photos
The Mai-Kai renovations, May-June 2023: Historic restaurant's new infrastructure begins to take shape
Crucial work was completed over the past two months in the multimillion-dollar restoration project.
Meticulous attention to detail is hallmark of The Mai-Kai restoration project (May-June 2023 update)
When guests re-enter the Polynesian palace, it will be like stepping into a time machine set for 1973 thanks to a talented team of artists and craftspeople.
The Hukilau highlights: Photos and memories from Tiki weekender
The 21st annual event featured four days of nonstop music, cocktails and education on modern and historic Polynesian Pop at the oceanfront Beachcomber Resort in South Florida.
>>> IMAGES FROM THE HUKILAU 2023
RELATED: The Hukilau 2023 live coverage, photos and video from social media
UPDATED REVIEWS AND RECIPES
As featured at The Hukilau 2023
Cobra's Kiss: An exotic taste explosion guaranteed to strike your fancy
Barrel O’ Rum: The Rodney Dangerfield of tropical drinks
The Mai-Kai renovations, April 2023: Bora Bora building comes down as restoration efforts pick up steam
The structural footprint of the historic South Florida restaurant changed dramatically with the demolition of a long-dormant building. Meanwhile, work accelerated restoring the vintage dining rooms and rebuilding the back of house.
Take a wild ride on the Tropical Thunder Express from Pooch and Tiki Farm
An ambitious four-mug set brings the surrealistic world of lowbrow artist Mike "Pooch" Pucciarelli to life.
>>> SEE THE STORY BEHIND THE MUGS
Exclusive cocktail recipes: Pooch Punch | Tropical Thunder Express
South Florida gets double dose of exotic music with Jake Shimabukuro, Mr. Ho's Orchestrotica
Two unique concert tours make their way to the Sunshine State to put a modern spin on traditional styles.
Behind the scenes at The-Mai-Kai as restoration ramps up in 2023
With work accelerating on the exterior, craftsmen meticulously restore the historic South Florida restaurant's elaborately themed interior guest areas in exacting detail.
The Mai-Kai officially begins work on first phase of $8.5 million renovation projects
With three key building permits in hand, the new ownership group is finally moving full-steam ahead on major construction projects that will restore and reshape the historic Polynesian restaurant.
New Don the Beachcomber locations launching in Florida, up to 15 planned across Southeast
A Tampa-based hospitality company will begin rolling out a chain of new Tiki-themed restaurants featuring the Don the Beachcomber branding in 2023, the first two in Central Florida.
New details on The Mai-Kai renovations, new merchandise revealed at Inuhele 2023 in Atlanta
New images and renderings of the historic restaurant's refurbishment unveiled during presentation at Tiki weekender. Attendees also got a sneak preview of new mugs and other merchandise along with a new signature rum.
Modern rum revolution hits the beach for Miami Rum Congress
The year's first major spirits festival returned to balmy Miami Beach for a fourth time on Feb. 10-12.
Social media recap: Photos, coverage of Miami Rum Congress 2023
Historic preservation board approves The Mai-Kai's renovation plans, clearing way for project to move forward
Landmark Polynesian restaurant allowed to remove old building, make other enhancements in sweeping plan to reimagine 66-year-old, 2.7-acre property.
PAST COVERAGE
The Atomic Grog Archive
Check out the top stories and special features from the blog dating back to our 2011 launch.
Past stories by year: 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018
More archives: Take 5 interviews | More memorable stories
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